Orthopaedic misses waiting list target

Reporter:

Emily Davies

Wednesday 12 April 2017 12:41

The Orthopaedic Hospital has just missed its waiting list target.

Health bosses at the Gobowen hospital had hoped to hit the 92 per cent target for patients waiting 18-weeks for treatment by the end of March, but they narrowly missed it reaching just over 90 per cent.

However, they did hit their target for 52-week waiting lists with no English patients waiting longer than a year.

Kim Barrow, director of operations, said: “This is a huge achievement and the result of a team effort across all areas.”

She also revealed that the 52-week wait for Welsh patients has also been reached, including five taken from the neighbouring Betsi Cadwallader University Health Board.

Ms Barrow, who was addressing the hospital’s Board of Directors, explained that it became apparent the 92 per cent target would not be reached when the hospital saw a 12 per cent increase in referrals earlier in the year.

But she added: “It just shows what can be achieved and the great teams we have on board here.

“It’s certainly the best figures in my time here and the best for a significant period of time.”

She continued: “The front-line staff, the nursing staff, have all gone the extra mile. Huge recognition needs to go to them and I would like to thank each and every one of them.”

Praise was also received from Frank Collins, chairman, who said “steady progress” has been made throughout the year.

He added: “We can take great comfort from out comparative performance. Nationally, we are bucking the trend. We should recognise all those involved.”

Looking ahead, the hospital aims to be delivering a sustainable 92 per cent by the end of December.

Ms Barrow said: “We have achieved Referral to Treatment (RTT) before, but this has to be sustainable.”